Credit Union Teller Sentenced for Embezzlement Scheme

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that today Lisa R. Cox, age 48, a resident of Macon, Georgia, was sentenced before the Honorable Marc T. Treadwell, Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, to 36 months’ imprisonment on count one and 36 months’ as to count two to run concurrent to count one for a total imprisonment term of 36 months; five years’ supervised release; $200.00 mandatory assessment fee; and restitution in the amount of $624,608.00.

On September 20, 2010, Cox entered a plea of guilty to one count of embezzlement by a credit union employee, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 657, and also a single count of making a false entry in credit union records, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1006. Cox admitted to embezzling $624,608.00 and making fraudulent entries into the general ledger maintained by Mid South Federal Credit Union by indicating that vault 300 of its Mercer branch contained $500,000.00 in nickel denomination coins. She admitted to using the funds to gamble, take a European vacation, make monthly payments on a motor vehicle, and assist a relative in the purchase of a home. Cox was employed by Mid South Federal Credit Union for approximately 17 years and was at the time of the offense serving as head teller at the Mercer branch.

United States Attorney Moore noted, “Not only did Ms. Cox violate the law, she violated the duties she owed to every member of the credit union.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The sentencing was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sharon Ratley.

Questions relating to the case should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2602.